"Mobile devices accounted for 40pc of the 176 million requests for television programmes in September, versus 33pc on computers.

It represents a watershed in a rapid shift in online viewing habits. A year ago smartphones and tablets accounted for only 25pc of viewing, compared to 47pc on computers. Three years ago only 6pc of requests for programmes came from mobile devices.

The switch will be seen as significant both by the BBC, which recently announced a new strategy that put iPlayer at the centre of its plans, and by the wider sector, which is scrambling to keep up with the migration of away from PCs to mobile devices."

For more infographics see the Metro story on BBC iPlayer app downloads

"From now on I want us to think of BBC iPlayer as having the same status and value as a linear channel service. In essence, it becomes our fifth channel, creating and sharing content alongside our linear services."

A new deal with PACT which includes the extension of BBC iPlayer’s free-to-air catch-up window from seven to 30 days was also announced.

If you'd like to give your thoughts about the BBC's plans for the future (which include enhancing BBC iPlayer) there's a "Where Next?" survey on the About the BBC website.

"'The BBC is looking for a framework of suppliers to provide web and data analytics tools and services, and associated activities,' the tender stated.

The framework will be split into two lots: the first is a single supplier lot for a core analytics platform designed to provide "insight" into web reporting, advanced predictive analytics and regulatory reporting requirements.

This is worth between £6.3m to £9.9m for the supplier that wins the only seat on the framework.

The second lot is a multi-supplier framework which covers enhanced reporting and analytics tools, worth between £5.5m and £7.92m."